With this book, the authors launch a new series on how things work. Their first title fills a vital need, for it presents the little-known basic tools that make all our heavy machinery possible. It also describes the semi-skilled and skilled jobs of the men who operate them.

The authors explain that machine tools can do one of two things to a piece of metal: cut it or form it. They then give examples of the important machine tools in each category. Cutting machines range from the milling machine, which makes grooves on a key, to the huge multiple-spindle automatic drilling machine. Forming machines include the punch press, which makes complicated shapes like the metal frame on a looseleaf notebook, and the forging press, which turns out many automobile and airplane parts.

The informative illustrations provide detailed pictures of each machine with its parts clearly labeled. Text and art together will give readers a new awareness and appreciation of the men and machines critical in our modern technology.

From the dust jacket